Unless you want disorder, you must abide by court rulings – Freddie Blay

A former Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Freddie Blay has stressed the importance of following Supreme Court rulings, cautioning that any defiance could lead to instability in the country. 

Mr Blay, who served as Deputy Speaker of Parliament from January 2001 to January 2009, made the remark during a radio interview with Citi FM on Monday, October 21.

He was reacting to concerns over Speaker Alban Bagbin’s possible response to the Supreme Court directive on the Speaker’s declaration of four seats vacant.

Mr Blay, a former Conventional People’s Party (NPP) Member of Parliament for Ellembelle, who later joined the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) rose to become Vice Chairman and later National Chairman expressed his belief that the Speaker must respect the Supreme Court’s role in interpreting the Constitution, highlighting the constitutional framework that governs the separation of powers between the judiciary, executive, and legislature.

“Unless you don’t want to observe it, unless you want there to be disorder in the country, definitely you must abide by the rulings of the courts,” Blay stated, stressing the importance of adhering to legal processes and court decisions.

Mr Blay emphasised the Supreme Court’s role in interpreting the Constitution. 

He stated, “According to the Constitution, you read it and I read it, and I believe all of us read it. It is the Supreme Court that interprets the Constitution.” 

He argued that the directives from the court should be respected until a final ruling, warning that any deviation would amount to “constitutional lawlessness.”

Addressing criticism of judicial interference in parliamentary matters, Blay acknowledged that some might disagree with the court’s decision, but he maintained that respect for the ruling is essential.

 “If a decision on a ruling is made and you disagree with it, then of course you will go ahead to accuse the Supreme Court of what you think ought to have been done. But definitely, it is what it is,” he said while stressing the importance of upholding constitutional principles.

Mr Blay expressed doubt that Speaker Bagbin would ignore the Supreme Court’s ruling, considering his legal background and position within Parliament

. “I would be very much surprised if he says he wouldn’t do so,” Mr Blay noted, adding that such an action would be seen as “defying or disregarding the rulings of the court.”